THE BEST IN BEAUTY FROM THOSE WHO KNOW BEST

VIOLET GREY began with our search for the best eyelash curler. To find the answer, we formed a band of inside-Hollywood experts and editors — from makeup artists to movie stars — to test every eyelash curler against our rigorous set of standards (the VIOLET CODE). We tested on film sets, on red carpets, and in the back of Jack Nicholson’s limousine — and once we learned which curler would make our lashes curve and not crimp (Utowa, it’s from Japan), we moved on to mascara, lip stain, dry shampoo, and everything else a girl needs in her cosmetic wardrobe. On any given day, we are discovering, testing, and approving best-in-class beauty. The result is a discerning curation of products, tips, and inspiration deemed essential — the Industry’s Beauty Edit.

THIS FACE OIL ISANGER MANAGEMENTTHERAPY FORSENSITIVE SKIN

Do you have irritable, hypersensitive skin that overreacts to everything? Despite her skepticism—and aversion to oils—our editor found an unparalleled complexion calmer in Pai’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil.

Written by NATALIA GARDUÑO

Photography by ANNA PALMA

Anyone with hypersensitive skin is familiar with the accompanying desperation. Regular flare-ups, painfully flaky skin, and blotchy spots make it easy to launch into an obsessive search for a miracle cure that delivers a smooth, flawless complexion. You know the effects sound dubious, but what if it works? This blind optimism inevitably breeds disappointment and exacerbates the problem. So when VIOLET GREY’s Beauty Director asked if I would test a product that’s touted to be the “ultimate multi-tasker for sensitive skin”—Pai’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil—I was skeptical. And flushed.

Truth be told, the offer hit a sensitive spot (no pun intended). On average, my rosacea-ridden complexion fluctuates somewhere between Emily Blunt in The Girl On The Train and a red muppet. How the scale tips depends on the day’s triggers: stress, hormones, brutally hot or cold temperatures, caffeine, workouts, saunas, and a billion other things. But it wasn’t always so. I spent my adolescence completely unblemished; then, in my twenties, fleets of spots arrived. Utterly desperate, I subjected my skin to countless hacks, treatments, and prescriptions. Nothing delivered results like Pai.

Housed in a clear bottle, Pai’s Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil literally glows. The distinct orange color comes an abundance of bioactive carotenoids (five times more than your average cold-pressed rosehip oil) that help protect against cell damage. To evaluate the oil’s potency, I applied it in my most vulnerable state: post-shower, where I usually have a five-minute window before severe tightness and dryness set in. But not only did my skin readily accept the oil, its cosseting effect was immediate. For the first time in nearly a decade, I saw the reflection of a plump and well-hydrated complexion.

You can use the Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil two ways. First, as a single step in your routine. I find it works best to gently press the oil into clean, damp skin. For a more integrated approach, you can mix the rosehip oil with your face moisturizer or body cream to intensify hydration.

Upon first application, I felt a change in my skin rather than on the surface. In case the bright citrus hue is puts you off, know that the oil sinks easily and invisibly into skin. And if you’re concerned about the oil clogging your pores, don’t be. The formula was way lighter than expected and has a non-greasy texture comparable to that of a serum. My initial test revealed a calmer, more resilient complexion. A week later, my skin looked incalculably better—a result that my cynicism had programmed me not to anticipate.

THE NAME OF THE ROSE

At the heart of Pai’s oil is rosehip CO2 extract. Harvested from the seeds of rose bushes in South America, rosehip is renowned for its healing properties. When included in skin care, the oil’s high concentration of antioxidant carotenoids and Omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9 work to repair and protect the dermis without irritation. Now, if you are familiar with the organic, cold-pressed variety, take note: not all rosehip oils are created equal. A CO2 extract has a much longer shelf-life in comparison (the Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil will keep for six months once opened!) and improved oxidative stability for a more effective, fresh, and longer-lasting formula.

IN THE CLEAR

To the uninitiated, layering on an oil can be intimidating. Toss in a myriad of skin issues and it’s downright scary. But after three months of regular use (you have to keep up with this one), I can now skip my concealer, take a lighter hand with my foundation, and even go makeup-free on occasion. Yes, really. In addition to a dramatic decrease in overall redness, I saw a few other issues resolve. My fine lines and acne scars are minimizing, and the painful inflammation I once experienced has subsided. So, to my troubled-skin friends: chin up, there’s hope for you yet.